Mission Statement
According to The American Library Association, individuals with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the United States. Because of the size of this group, it is paramount that libraries aid its members in finding information that can help them lead happier, more productive lives. Fortunately, the rapid development of technology and electronic print has enabled librarians to provide new levels of access to information. We at Ellender Memorial feel that we can enhance this opportunity to better serve our patrons with disabilities by developing a comprehensive Mission for assisting them in locating resources that will prove relevant to their personal and professional development.
To this end, Ellender Memorial supports NSU's mission to "commit itself to offering an excellent comprehensive education, including a majority of nationally accredited programs, that meets the needs of the communities it serves in south central Louisiana and beyond through teaching, research and service." As part of that mission, the library emphasizes meeting the needs of patrons with disabilities by making sure that it meets criteria defined by The American Library Association in 1999. In order to better support patrons that have special visual, auditory, or mobilization needs, the library aims to do the following:
Create a Mission Statement that reflects that we have a mandate to assure that all patrons have a right to equitable library services.
Ensure that all patrons with disabilities are treated with fairness, consideration, and dignity.
Ensure that all library facilities and services are accessible to each and every patron, regardless of disability, which involves creating planning strategies where barriers exist, and taking a proactive stance on identifying potential barriers.
Foster an atmosphere of cooperation with local groups that serve patrons with disabilities.
Evaluate continuously physical outlay, technology, programs, services and collections to make sure that they are relevant to all patrons, including patrons with disabilities, and effectively address all patrons' needs.
Provide access to adequate library services and resources. Patrons with disabilities are entitled to library services and resources equivalent to those provided for non-disabled patrons.
Provide reasonable funding for ready and equivalent library service and learning resources to all students, regardless of disability.
Return To Top
Assistance with Use of Library Technology
As do virtually all libraries in the United States, Ellender Memorial Library uses, in place of a card catalog, a web based Online Public Access Catalog called iLink, and in addition to print indices, various Electronic Research Databases. These technological advances open the door to information access for patrons with disabilities. They make accessible library materials that years ago were not. In addition, computer workstations network iLINK, the Internet, and online subscription based databases in order to facilitate access.
These technologies provide a gateway for people with visual impairment, limited mobility, limited hearing and/or limited strength. Electronic tools allow patrons to leap the physical hurdles imposed by the physical demands of certain materials. For example, the old card catalog with heavy drawers that may be out of reach presented a hindrance for the physically disabled, as well as the visually impaired. Encyclopedia volumes tended to be (and still tend to be) heavy or unwieldy. The new computerized technologies, aided by advancements such as reading software, empower patrons who would have been discouraged by earlier methods of information retrieval.
Of course, many individuals with disabilities do not require any specialized or assistive technology to access information, other than the technology used by most library users. In other cases, however, current technology has greatly expanded access options and enables patrons with disabilities to be independent researchers. Browsers and word processing software, for example, can enlarge text.
But technology alone does not equal library service. Just as even the newest and most advanced automobiles need good drivers in order to get passengers to their destinations, computers, computer software, and online databases are nothing more than tools. Without experienced librarians and support staff to help use these tools, patrons (including patrons with disabilities) will have no clear knowledge of how to place the cornerstone of their education--individualized research--so that they can construct the body of professional knowledge they will need to succeed in their chosen careers. Ellender Memorial realizes this, and therefore provides all patrons with access to staff who can help with technological and research oriented issues.
Where possible, library departments are staffed by accredited librarians, support staff and student workers, so that all patrons have access to the most valuable library resource of all: the human resource. Our staff members are courteous and friendly, as well as knowledgable, and this courtesy and friendliness is afforded to patrons with disabilities, as to all patrons. In addition, our staff members are aware that they may need to work proactively to assist patrons with disabilities to a level beyond which they would aid non-disabled patrons, from opening doors and moving chairs for the wheelchair bound, to offering the use of magnifiers and magnifying software to the visually impaired.
Return To Top
The Multimedia Room
Multimedia, which is located on the first floor of the library, to the right of Interlibrary Loan, is the library's best equipped department for helping patrons with disabilities. It is staffed during all regular library hours of operation, and it houses the library's videos, DVDs, and non-print, non-electronic items. Specifically, the Multimedia Department allows disabled patrons access to the following technologies:
Xerox/Kurzweil Personal Reader for the visually impaired. This scans pages and reads text back to the patron.
Large Text Keyboard for the visually impaired. The same computer has a Large Print Display Processor.
Computer with Zoom Text and Wynn Wizard, which allows a patron to enlarge text or scan for reading.
Voyager XL which enlarges the page to different sizes, like a large magnifier.
Multimedia Computer Workstation featuring Windows, Internet access, large print and speech output, text reader, scanner, and braille embosser.
Personal Reader that scans notes up to 30 pages and reads them back.
Ellender's Multimedia Department is staffed by Jolene Knight and Debbie Adams, both of whom are conversant with the technologies and trained specifically to help patrons with disabilities make use of them. They also are always willing to help with tasks such as making photocopies.
Direct comments and suggestions to:
Tony Fonseca
Serials Librarian
325 Ellender Memorial Library
Phone: 985-448-4675
|
